Mexican Land Grants were parcels of land given by the Mexican government to individuals or groups during the early 19th century. These grants were part of a strategy to encourage settlement and development in areas that were sparsely populated, particularly in regions that are now part of the southwestern United States. The grants often included rights to water and resources, making them valuable for agriculture and ranching. After the Mexican-American War, many of these land grants became subjects of legal disputes as the U.S. government took control of the territories. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo aimed to protect the rights of land grant holders, but many faced challenges in proving their claims. This led to a complex history of land ownership and legal battles that continue to influence land rights today.